Hogan announces judicial appointment for St. Mary's

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today announced the appointments of Andrew Martin Battista to the Baltimore County Circuit Court, Kerwin Anthony Miller, Sr. to the District Court for Harford County, Joseph Michael Stanalonis to the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court, and Sidney Allen Butcher to the District Court for Anne Arundel County. The governor made the appointments after interviewing nominees sent by the judicial nominating commissions.

“The appointment of qualified individuals to serve across our state’s justice system is paramount to upholding our responsibilities to the people of Maryland and the rule of law,” said Governor Hogan. “I have confidence that Mr. Battista, Mr. Miller, Mr. Stanalonis, and Mr. Butcher will be strong advocates for the law and will serve the citizens of their respective counties and the state of Maryland admirably.”

Andrew Martin Battista has been a solo practitioner in Baltimore County since 1993. In this capacity, he has handled a wide variety of cases, ranging from personal injury to family law matters and criminal defense to workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Battista started his legal career at Hardwick, Tripoda and Harris in Baltimore as an associate defending cases before the Worker’s Compensation Commission and in state trial courts. He then joined the law firm of Marlow, Peddicord and Young in Towson where he represented construction and life insurance companies before starting the law firm of Young and Battista. Mr. Battista holds a B.S. from Towson University and obtained his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Kerwin Anthony Miller, Sr. has been an an administrative law judge with the Office of Administrative Hearings since 2016. Prior to holding that position, he worked as Deputy State’s Attorney for Cecil County from 2009-2015. In that position, he handled serious felony prosecutions and oversaw homicide crime scene responses. He received a B.S. from Mary Washington College and obtained his J.D. from the Southwestern University School of Law.

Joseph Michael Stanalonis (pictured, right) has worked in the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office for his entire legal career, previously serving as District Court Chief and Senior Assistant State’s Attorney. He is currently the Deputy State’s Attorney, representing Maryland in criminal cases involving robberies, homicide, drug distribution, arson, and both the juvenile and adult drug courts. Mr. Stanalonis holds a B.A. from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and received his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law.

Sidney Allen Butcher has worked as an attorney with the Office of the Attorney General since February 2018. He is currently assigned to the Medicaid Fraud Unit where he handles civil and criminal enforcement of Medicaid fraud matters in state and federal courts across Maryland. Prior to this position, Mr. Butcher worked as counsel in the White-Collar Group at Whiteford Taylor Preston LLP for three years. He also spent 10 years as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office. Mr. Butcher holds a B.S. from Florida A&M University and received his J.D. from the University of Kansas School of Law.